Notre Dame Graduates 62nd Class, Recognizes Achievements & Awards

On May 25, Notre Dame College Prep held Commencement Exercises for the 62nd graduating class of this private institution sponsored by the Brothers of the Congregation of Holy Cross. The Class of 2019 earned a collective $14.7 million in scholarship, award and grant offers to colleges and universities.

Over the past four years, the 199 gentlemen in this class have grown up and together as men of faith, scholarship and service, which are Notre Dame’s primary core values. On graduation day, the class was recognized in front of their families and friends, teachers and coaches and support staff, for the hard work and commitment they have put forward to have arrived at this special moment in their lives.

The presentation of the first diploma was a bittersweet and accompanied by a standing ovation. Andrew Berghoff, a cherished member of the Class of 2019 and our Burke Scholar program, was awarded a posthumous diploma that was accepted by his parents, Paul and Lisa Berghoff. Andrew passed away unexpectedly during his sophomore year at Notre Dame. His bright smile and zest for living life to the fullest will always be remembered by the Notre Dame community.

Andrew’s parents used his lifetime earnings at two jobs, along with their own contributions, to start the Andrew Berghoff Memorial Scholarship Fund and hope that others will be inspired to contribute to this lasting legacy for Andrew.

Principal Daniel Tully ’94 reminded the class of the importance of living as men of faith, scholarship and service.

“We hope that the foundation your parents and families built has been supported and strengthened by Notre Dame’s core values of faith, scholarship and service. The Constitutions of the Congregation of Holy Cross contain some inspirational words for all of us. They say, “For the kingdom to come in this world, disciples must have the competence to see and the courage to act.” I know you have received the tools here at Notre Dame to do both," said Tully.

President Ralph Elwart encouraged every graduate to chase their dreams and work hard to achieve them.

“The only place that success comes before work is in the dictionary. Michael Jordan said that he has missed more than 9.000 shots in his career. He lost almost 300 games. 26 times he was trusted to take the last and winning shot and he missed. He has said ‘I have failed over and over and over again and that is why I succeed.’ Because he kept trying. That is also what you’ve learned here at Notre Dame. Successful people are the ones who learn from these mistakes and move on to the next challenge,” said Elwart.

Valedictorian Nicholas Meyer achieved a cumulative grade point average of 5.22 on a 4.0 scale. During his speech, Nick encouraged his fellow classmates to be confident in pursuing whatever dreams lie ahead for them. “Don’t lose precious time by staying in your comfort zone. At college, military school, trade school, or wherever in life you may go, continue to be a Don, pushing the boundaries of what you think you can do.”

The Class of 2019 includes students from 13 cities, 33 zip codes and 76 grammar schools who earned a collective $14.7 million in scholarship, award and grant offers to colleges and universities. They are headed to nearly 75 institutions of higher learning in the fall. At least 6 young men will serve our country beginning next year and several others will enter ROTC programs.

Class of 2019 Achievements and Highlights

• Illinois State Scholars: 31
• Future Collegiate Athletes: 18
• Honors Pendant Awardees: 44
• IHSA Student-Athlete Scholastic Achievement Awardees: 47
• Earned a collective $14.7 million in scholarship, award and grant offers to colleges and universities
• Headed to nearly 75 institutions of higher learning in the fall
• Six young men will begin serving our country this fall; several others will enter ROTC programs

Valedictorian: Nicholas Meyer
Salutatorians: Patrick Banich and John Picucci
Outstanding Senior Student Athlete Award: Patrick Banich
Christian Service Award & Monsignor Thomas Baima Scholarship: Ryan Nelson
Faith, Scholarship and Service Award: Dylan Coleman, Ryan Dalkin and Nicholas Meyer
The Gentleman of Mary Award: Patrick Banich
Kevin A. Rapacz Memorial Leadership Award: Jake Maibuecher

Seniors ranked in top 3% of the class
Patrick Banich, Joseph Buikema, Nicholas Meyer, Kiet Nguyen, Thanh Nguyen, Demetrius Osborne, John Picucci

NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY AWARDS

United States Marine Corps
Scholastic Excellence Award: Nicholas Meyer
Semper Fidelis Athlete Award: Joseph Nuqui
Distinguished Athlete Award and Owen Egizio Memorial Brotherhood Scholarship: Ty Gavin

United States Army
Scholar/Athlete Award: Dylan Coleman

Alumni with sons in the Class of 2019
John F. Kleinhubert ‘79
Robert Newton ‘82
Thomas Symonanis ‘82
Andrian Alhambra ‘84
James Conway ‘86
Thomas Meyer ‘86
Berardino Parisi ‘86
Robert Rosenquist ‘86
Peter Svachula ‘86
Patrick Keane ‘87
James Flynn ‘88
John Langbein ‘88
Dennis Buikema ‘89

In addition to the student awards, the following traditional awards were bestowed on the following alumni and staff members:
Rev. Joseph Stroot, CSC Award: Fr. Daniel McCarthy and Tom Theis '66
Rev. James d'Autremont, CSC Award: Judy Byrne

Notre Dame College Prep (NDCP) is sponsored by the Brothers of Holy Cross, Midwest Province, and located on 28-acres in Niles, Illinois. NDCP provides students with its core principles of faith, scholarship and service, and the challenging curriculum meets the individual needs of a diverse student body. With 16 interscholastic sports and more than 30 clubs, activities and intramurals, the student body of nearly 800 achieve a well-balanced education and nearly 100 percent of its graduates go on to college.

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